DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 644 KB)
Pesah – Bringing Books to the Table, Using Tablecloths

Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (contemporary) writes (listen to audio recording for precise citation) that it is proper during Pesah to use different books for Pizmonim and Birkat Ha’mazon. The Pizmonim and Birkat Ha’mazon books and cards used during the year often have food on them, as they are frequently brought to the table, and it is therefore proper to put them away for Pesah and use different books during the holiday. It may be too costly for some to purchase new Pizmonim books for Pesah, in which case they should be thoroughly cleaned and checked for Hametz, and may then be used during Pesah.

Books that are not normally brought to the table do not have to be checked before Pesah for Hametz. However, if a person has books that he occasionally brings to the table, he should ensure not to bring them to his table on Pesah, because there might a crumb in the book that could fall onto his plate. Hametz on Pesah is not subject to "Bittul" ("nullification"), meaning, it is forbidden even in the smallest proportion, and one should therefore ensure not to bring to the table books that might have Hametz crumbs in them. If he wishes, he can put down a towel or some other material on the table and then place the book on the towel.

One should ensure to use a tablecloth to cover his table whenever he eats on Pesah. Even if the table has been cleaned and one eats cold food, he should nevertheless make sure the table is covered. Rav Elyashiv even advises using a second covering in addition to the tablecloth, but one should at very least ensure to have a tablecloth so he does not eat directly on the table.

Summary: Birkat Ha’mazon and Pizmonim books used at the table during the year should not be used on Pesah. Books in general do not need to be checked for Hametz before Pesah, but a book that has occasionally been brought to the table should not be placed directly on the table during Pesah. One should use a tablecloth anytime he eats during Pesah, rather than eat directly on the table, even if it was thoroughly cleaned.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Beracha Recited Over Coffee; The Status of Coffee Prepared by a Gentile
The Beracha on Bread Made From Sprouted Wheat
Reciting a Beracha Upon Seeing Majestic Mountains
Birkat Ha’re’ah
The Beracha When Eating Spices; The Beracha Over Chocolate
If One Is Unsure If He Recited Birkat Hamazon
If One Wants to Continue Eating after Washing Mayim Aharonim or Preparing for Birkat Hamazon
Reciting Birchot Ha’shahar Aloud So Others Can Answer “Amen”
Situations That Require Hand Washing
Netilat Yadayim in the Morning If One Arises Before Daybreak
Netilat Yadayim in the Morning if One Went to Sleep After Hasot
Netilat Yadayim When One Hand is in a Cast
Using a Disposable Cup for Kiddush and Netilat Yadayim
Using a Sink for the Morning Hand Washing
May One Wash Netilat Yadayim in the Restroom?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found